The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg has secured the temporary withdrawal of a contentious item from the Council agenda concerning the sale or leasing of various parks in Johannesburg, these include the Marks Park in Emmarentia.
The item which was meant to be debated in council on the 30th July 2025, was withdrawn after DA Shadow MMC of Economic Development, Cllr Bongani Nkomo and affected DA ward councillors convened a critical engagement with the Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) regarding their proposed public participation process on the leasing and/or sale of various municipal properties.
During detailed scrutiny of the documents, the DA identified contradictions suggesting that the land may be earmarked for sale or reclassification under the guise of a lease. The lack of specificity and technical inconsistencies prompted us to call for the matter to be sent back to the Section 79 Oversight Committee for further review and debate, a request that was accepted by the MMC and Committee Chairperson.
The DA is deeply concerned by JPC’s recurring habit of submitting vague and overly complex reports, often at the last minute, that inhibit Council’s ability to exercise effective oversight, particularly on proposals involving the future of strategic public land.
Additionally, the DA has raised alarm bells on a similar report pertaining to Pirates Sports Club Greenside and other public open space properties in Killarney. Although the body of that report refers to a “long-term lease”, the legal recommendation explicitly mentions a “proposed sale”. Such contradictions cannot be left unchallenged.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to the principle that all transactions or contracts entered into by the Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) must serve the best interests of the city and its residents. At the same time, we are resolute in safeguarding Johannesburg’s public assets against any attempts at backdoor privatisation.